MARTINSBURG, West Virginia — European defense technology company Helsing has selected Martinsburg, West Virginia, as the location for its first manufacturing facility in the United States. The company will invest $50 million in the new plant, which will manufacture the HX-2 artificial intelligence-enabled strike drone as part of Helsing's global network of Resilience Factories focused on high-volume military production.
The facility will be built in Berkeley County and marks a significant expansion of the Munich-based company's presence in the U.S. defense market. The announcement was made in coordination with West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey, who said the state was selected after a competitive nationwide search.
Governor Morrisey said the investment reflects West Virginia's skilled workforce, dependable infrastructure, and business-friendly environment. He added that the state's ability to move projects forward quickly played an important role in Helsing's decision.
The project is expected to create at least 60 full-time jobs, with an average annual salary of $125,000, making it one of the highest-paying manufacturing investments announced in the region in recent years.
To support the workforce needed for the facility, the state will partner with Blue Ridge Community and Technical College and West Virginia Advance to develop customized training programs tailored to Helsing's manufacturing requirements.
Once fully operational, the Martinsburg plant is expected to produce more than 2,000 HX-2 drones per month. Helsing plans to achieve initial operating capability by November, with full-rate production expected within one year.
The HX-2 is a software-defined loitering munition designed for modern battlefield operations. The drone has an operational range of up to 100 kilometers (62 miles) and can reach speeds of 220 kilometers per hour. It weighs 12 kilograms and can carry a payload of up to 4.5 kilograms, including armor-penetrating shaped charges designed to engage armored vehicles and artillery.
One of the system's key features is its onboard artificial intelligence. The HX-2 can navigate using visual landmarks and continue missions even when GPS signals and continuous data links are disrupted by electronic warfare, allowing it to operate in contested environments.
The drone has already been deployed in combat. Helsing has delivered thousands of HX-2 drones to Ukrainian forces, where the system has been used on the front lines. The HX-2 has also been evaluated by the U.S. Army during the Project Flytrap exercise in Lithuania, where allied forces tested advanced unmanned systems.
The new manufacturing facility supports broader U.S. efforts to strengthen the country's defense industrial base by expanding domestic production capacity for advanced military systems. Establishing production within the United States is expected to improve supply chain resilience while supporting future requirements of U.S. and allied armed forces.
Dr. Jennifer McArdle, General Manager of Helsing US, said modern deterrence depends not only on advanced technology but also on the ability to manufacture it rapidly and at scale.
"Modern deterrence requires advanced technology and the ability to produce it at speed, at scale, and in sustained volumes," McArdle said. "West Virginia stood out for its skilled workforce, speed to build, manufacturing heritage, and commitment to strengthening the U.S. industrial base. We are excited to build in Appalachia."
The West Virginia announcement comes during a period of rapid growth for Helsing. One day before announcing the new U.S. facility, the company revealed it had secured $1.8 billion in new funding, increasing its total valuation to $18 billion and making it one of Europe's largest defense technology startups.
The Martinsburg facility represents Helsing's first manufacturing operation in the United States and expands the company's production network as demand for AI-enabled defense technologies and unmanned systems continues to grow among NATO allies and partner nations.
Source : helsing.ai
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